Christians and Muslims should work fraternally for "justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person"

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for the Muslims of the world to mark the end of Ramadan. "Despite being aware of our differences, [. . .] We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Christians and Muslims
are "brothers" and, "despite being aware of the differences", they are called "to work together
for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person,"
said the message issued by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to world Muslims
to mark the end of Ramadan (Id al-Fitr
1435 H./2014 AD)
which will be celebrated on 27/28
July.

Titled 'Towards a Genuine Fraternity
between Christians and Muslims', the message, signed by the president and the secretary of the Pontifical Council, respectively
Card Jean-Louis Tauran and Father Miguel Ángel Ayuso
Guixot MCCJ, calls
on believers to work together "to
build bridges of peace and promote reconciliation especially in areas where
Muslims and Christians together suffer the horror of war."

"Last
year," the message went on to say," the first year of his ministry,
Pope Francis personally signed the Message addressed to you on the occasion of Id
al-Fitr. On another occasion, he also called you 'our brothers and sisters' (Angelus, 11 August 2013). We all can
recognize the full significance of these words. In fact, Christians and Muslims
are brothers and sisters in the one human family, created by the One God.

"Let us recall
what Pope John Paul II said to Muslim religious leaders in 1982: "All of
us, Christians and Muslims, live under the sun of the one merciful God. We both
believe in one God who is the creator of man. We acclaim God's sovereignty and we
defend man's dignity as God's servant. We adore God and profess total
submission to him. Thus, in a true sense, we can call one another brothers and
sisters in faith in the one God." (Kaduna, Nigeria, 14 February 1982).

"We thank the
Almighty for what we have in common, while remaining aware of our differences.
We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual
respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our
sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice,
peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person. We feel
responsible in a particular way for those most in need: the poor, the sick,
orphans, immigrants, victims of human trafficking, and those suffering from any
kind of addiction.

"As we know, our
contemporary world faces grave challenges which call for solidarity on the part
of all people of good will. These include threats to the environment, the
crisis of the global economy and high levels of unemployment particularly among
young people. Such situations give rise to a sense of vulnerability and a lack
of hope for the future. Let us also not forget the problems faced by so many
families which have been separated, leaving behind loved ones and often small children.

"Let us work
together, then, to build bridges of peace and promote reconciliation especially
in areas where Muslims and Christians together suffer the horror of war. May
our friendship inspire us always to cooperate in facing these many challenges with
wisdom and prudence. In this way we will help to diminish tension and conflict,
and advance the common good. We will also demonstrate that religions can be a
source of harmony for the benefit of society as a whole.

"Let us pray
that reconciliation, justice, peace and development will remain uppermost among
our priorities, for the welfare and good of the whole human family.

"Together with
Pope Francis, we are happy to send you our cordial best wishes for a joyful
celebration and a life of prosperity in peace."

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Christians and Muslims should work fraternally for "justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person" Middle East South Asia Central Asia North Asia South East Asia East Asia South West Asia Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Myanmar Cambodia China East Timor Georgia India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Kazakhstan North Korea South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Macau Malaysia Mongolia Nepal Oman Pakistan Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Turkey Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen Palestine Hong Kong Jordan Europe Nord America Sud America Africa The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for the Muslims of the world to mark the end of Ramadan. "Despite being aware of our differences, [. . .] We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person."

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